Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

There’s something magical about the combination of chocolate and peanut butter. Growing up, my grandmother would make this exact pie for our Sunday family dinners, and the moment that rich, creamy filling hit my tongue, I knew this would become my signature dessert. This chocolate peanut butter pie recipe has been perfected over years of testing and tweaking, resulting in a dessert that’s both impressively decadent and surprisingly easy to make.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Why this is the Best Recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter Cream Pie

Most chocolate peanut butter pies have you use a prepared pie crust, which can work but it does lack some flavor from the butter you use with this recipe.

It is also more than just a peanut butter and cream cheese base. When you add in the heavy cream and brown sugar, it brings the taste of this pie to the next level.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple ingredients you likely have in your pantry
• A perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors
• Make-ahead friendly (can be prepared up to 3 days in advance)
• No baking is required for the filling
• Customizable toppings for any occasion

Peanut Butter Chocolate Pie Ingredients

The nice thing about this easy chocolate and peanut butter pie is that you will most likely have everything you need at home to make it. So, it is perfect when you make a dessert in a pinch.

Here’s a list of what you need:

• Graham cracker crumbs – provide a flavorful base for this pie
• Butter – you can use either salted butter or unsalted butter
• Heavy cream – creates a light, mousse-like texture when whipped
• Cream cheese – for this recipe, I prefer the full-fat cream cheese as it adds tanginess and creates a stable structure)
• Natural peanut butter – provides the main flavor and creamy texture
• Dark brown sugar – adds moisture and deep caramel notes
• Vanilla extract – enhances overall flavor and adds warmth
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips – create a rich, smooth topping

What crust is best for chocolate peanut butter pie?

Since this is a thick and creamy pie, it works wonderfully with a graham cracker crust.

You can use either honey graham crackers or chocolate graham crackers and you will have a delicious crust for this peanut butter chocolate pie.

How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

1. In a bowl mix graham cracker crumbs and melted butter.
2. Press the crumb mixture into a pie plate.

3. Bake at 350 degrees for about 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the crust from the oven and allow it to cool to room temperature.
4. In a large bowl, beat heavy cream until it forms stiff peaks.
5. With a stand mixer and using another clean bowl, beat cream cheese, peanut butter, brown sugar, vanilla until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
6. Gently fold the whipped cream into the creamy peanut butter filling.
7. Spoon or pour the peanut butter mixture into the pie crust and gently spread it to the edges.

8. Place the pie in the refrigerator and chill it for about 1 hour or until the pie sets.
9. In a small saucepan, heat, heavy cream until it just begins to boil.
10. Add the chopped chocolate to the pan. Stir continuously until the chocolate melts completely.
11. Spread the melted chocolate ganache topping over the peanut butter pie.
12. Refrigerate the pie until the chocolate sets.

Customization Options

Dietary Modifications

• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free graham crackers for the crust
• Dairy-Free: Substitute coconut cream for heavy cream and dairy-free cream cheese
• Lower Sugar: Use sugar-free chocolate chips and a natural sweetener

Ingredient Substitutions

• Graham crackers → Oreo cookies or chocolate graham crackers
• Natural peanut butter → Almond butter or cookie butter
• Semi-sweet chocolate → Dark chocolate or milk chocolate

Troubleshooting Tips

Common Issues and Solutions

1. Runny Filling
   • Ensure cream cheese is just softened, not too warm
   • Beat heavy cream to stiff peaks
   • Add extra peanut butter to thicken if needed
2. Crumbly Crust
   • Add more melted butter if too dry
   • Press firmly into pan
   • Don’t overbake
3. Grainy Ganache
   • Use fresh chocolate chips
   • Don’t overheat the cream
   • Let chocolate and cream sit before stirring

Ways to Top Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

The nice thing about this pie is that you can make it simple or fancy, whichever you like!

• If you want a simpler option, leave it with just the melted chocolate ganache poured over the top.
• You can also add either a layer of whipped cream on top, or drizzle melted peanut butter on top., or you may want to top this with a dollop of Cool Whip.
• Sprinkle chopped peanuts on top of the pie.
• Go extra fancy and do all three and you will have a truly luscious peanut butter chocolate pie.

Why is my chocolate peanut butter pie runny?

There could be a couple of different reasons:

• If your cream cheese was too soft it can make the pie softer and harder to set up.
• If you add too much of the heavy cream you can get a runny pie. Offset this by adding in more peanut butter to thicken it up.

Then, place the peanut butter mixture in the fridge to let the pie filling set up a bit.

Does chocolate peanut butter pie need to be refrigerated?

Yes! This pie most definitely needs to be refrigerated. It must be kept cool since its base is made with cream cheese and heavy cream.

Pull the pie out of the fridge when ready to serve it. It should be put back in the fridge when you serve it.

Do not keep the pie at room temperature for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. This pie is best cold!

How long can you store a chocolate pie in the fridge?

If this pie is kept in the fridge, it will last 5-6 days when it is stored and covered with aluminum foil or saran wrap.

Can you freeze chocolate and peanut butter pie?

You can freeze this pie. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months when wrapped in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Then just take it out of the freezer at least 12 hours before serving it and let it thaw in the fridge.

Best Homemade Pie Recipes

• Blueberry Cream Cheese Pie
• Chocolate Pudding Pie
• Eggnog Pie
• Fruit of the Forest Pie
• Karo Syrup Pecan Pie
• Marie Callender’s Banana Cream Pie
• Millionaire Pie
• Old Fashioned Apple Pie
• Toll House Pie
• Turtle Pie

More Chocolate Peanut Butter Recipes

• Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
• Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
• Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream

Check out more of my easy pie recipes and the best Thanksgiving dessert recipes here on CopyKat!